Anti-measles, rubella campaign in Sindh from Nov 15

KARACHI:

As many as 18.6 million children aged between nine months and 15 years will be vaccinated against measles and rubella virus during anti-measles and rubella campaign scheduled from November 15 to 27 across Sindh.

For the campaign, more than 15,000 workers and volunteers will perform their duties during the campaign.

In this regard, a press conference was held at the office of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). DG Health Services Sindh Dr. Muhammad Juman Bahuto, EPI Project Director Dr. Irshad Memon, Pakistan Pediatric Association head Dr. Khalid Shafi Memon and other experts attended the conference.

Speaking at the conference, Dr. Irshad Memon said: “Today we are talking about a very important public health issue. Measles is a dangerous disease that is spread by a virus.”

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In Sindh, 664 cases of measles and four deaths were reported in 2020. As of October 10, 2021, 2,400 cases of measles and 38 deaths were reported. Also, 301 cases of rubella were reported in 2020 while 117 cases have so far been reported during the current year in the province.

According to sources, teams have been formed for the campaign and they are being imparted training. Moreover, eight million children will also be vaccinated against polio.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 12^th, 2021.